(May 2025)
Summer is upon us, and with it the many activities that spin up along with it. Soon it will be time for family vacations, camping, fishing, and for me: a combination of all the above along with some two wheeled adventures. It is my belief that all of this serves as a reminder of what it means to live, and why that is important. As MWB Bob Davis points out, “Everything we do is important”.
This time of year, I also look forward to the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education (more at http://mcme1949.org). We had an excellent turnout in Minnesota last year, and it was no different in this year’s location: Indianapolis, Indiana.
I was excited to hear that there would be multiple people joining from our jurisdiction – including two of my predecessors: WB Mark Robbins and WB Andy Niemeyer. On the road trip, I especially enjoyed the company of my good friend and Brother Russell Winbush who joined me cutting across four states and spending time studying ritual, listening to audiobooks, reflecting on quantum physics, discussing manifestation, and comparing notes about life goals in general. We arrived ½ a day early and that afforded us extra time to walk around downtown Indianapolis and enjoy the beautiful architecture coexisting with modern sights:
You may recognize the columns in the war memorial, symbolism from the entrance of the Scottish Rite Castle, and well … the Shriner’s Temple was the biggest (possibly most beautiful) I had ever seen. If you’d like additional views and descriptions, please visit my virtual desk – I will share them there: http://bythecompass.org. Included are artifacts from Dave Thomas of Wendy’s fame, and a rare publication that has a Brother’s long spent grocery list written on the back of it. This represents a rare treasure serving to remind us that despite our station, we are all living the same human experience with similar basic needs.
MCME 2025 was another awesome educational experience and adventure, and it was so good to connect with Freemason educator friends who have given a piece of themselves and continue to make their mark in the fraternity through research, books, podcasts, and creative works. MWB Tom Hendrickson was also in attendance and captured his thoughts and a wonderful summary in his blog located here: http://allthingsmasonic.blogspot.com.
Next year, MCME will be held in Omaha, Nebraska. Keep an eye out for the announcement on their website, and I sincerely hope you will consider joining us – especially if you are looking for more inspiration and information about Masonic education.
Soon I would be headed through Indianapolis once again: this time targeting Dayton, OH for Dayton Hamvention 2025 (https://hamvention.org).
On to Dayton, Ohio
During my brief time back in Minnesota, I was invited by Chad Kopenski (Ohio) to join him for a discussion on the Ohio Lodge of Research Connections video podcast located at: https://www.youtube.com/@OLRConnections (please consider liking and subscribing). I gladly accepted.
The evening before my continued travels, Chad and I had a thoughtful conversation. One topic that he raised was, “Are we using the gifts that we have been given?” To be honest, I had goosebumps, and it is a question we should all think about and reflect on. It was good getting to know Chad (another MCME friend) better. The conversation served as the perfect backdrop to my return trip through Indiana and on my way to Ohio.
Prior to proceeding, it is important to note that on the previous Monday, during our meal, one of the junior officers of Rochester Lodge #21 asked if I had ever read works by Napoleon Hill. I responded that I had not and took note of the author so that I could listen to his works on my way out to Ohio. I casually asked which book would be a good one to listen to. Without hesitation, Bro. Gabe suggested “Outwitting the Devil” – a work which I later discovered was kept from publication until long after Hill’s death. Interesting …
As I left my driveway and started the book, I was amazed by its synchronicity and how its content aligned with my conversation with Chad and recent events in my life. Halfway through (and after encountering two Tornado warnings), I excitedly reached out to several Brothers and suggested that the book should be required reading for all new Freemasons because there are so many intriguing points to reflect on. I safely pulled into Dayton, OH Friday morning at 3:00am having completed the book. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that my mind was utterly blown. If you haven’t read this book, you should. I will read it again in the coming days.
When my Ohio and Indianapolis friends (many of whom I had met at MCME) saw that I was back in the area, I was immediately greeted with multiple Masonic event invites. This not only made me feel welcomed, but my ham radio friends took note of the invites too. It is evidence of who we are and reflects more than simple words. I recently asserted, “I am blessed to be surrounded by doers.” Let me double-down on that comment and send Brotherly love to my Brothers wheresoever dispersed. Our fraternity is special, and this reflects one of the great reasons why.
Dayton, OH was a lot of fun. My goal was to spend as much time as I could with my Ham Radio mentors, and friends that I had not seen in quite some time. I could not ride a motorcycle this time, so I took a sketchy Jeep instead. We enjoyed simple pleasures and laughed. We took in meals many locals may consider humdrum, but I seek out every time I’m in areas that have them: Waffle House and Captain D’s.
It was nice to reset. On day two, my friend Fant and I traveled to the Neil Armstrong museum on a whim, and we were happy we did. Inside this treasure are so many stories of hope and human resiliency. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw the astronomical symbols awaiting us at the entrance near a module exhibit. Two stood out to me in particular.
The last few weeks have been a tale of two cities – ironically close to each other and separated by a week of return trips. It was an opportunity to travel, unhook, and enjoy the company of friends and Brothers. More importantly, it was an opportunity to take in and accept a series of events that reflect exactly what I needed in the moment. They were added chapters to a never-ending story, and adventure of the heart and of the mind.
Thank you for walking along with me on this journey and allowing me into yours. Until our paths next cross, I hope that you too will travel well my Brothers.
Fraternally,
Brad